Jim Patchett, president of Conservation Design Forum in Illinois, will offer his ideas on flood prevention when he speaks at the Thursday, Dec. 4, Trees Forever forum in Cedar Rapids.

One of the suggestions that anyone can do at home is to start a rain garden. Here are some of the resources he suggested for more information:

Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Home Owners, by Roger Bannerman and Ellen Considine, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PUB-WT-776-2003 and it can be accessed online by Googling Roger Bannerman/ Rain Gardens.

Years ago when pizza delivery was first invented, we invited another family for pizza.We ate, and then we adults moved to the living room.At that time, the kitchen heat source in this old house was a Ben Franklin stove.The kids decided that they would clean up for us (a pleasant surprise!)Several minutes later, we sensed a smell only describable as HOT.Running into the kitchen, we discovered the kids had shoved the empty pizza boxes into the stove.The grease had heated the chimney to a vivid red.Yes, Virginia, vivid red!Needless to say we were extremely lucky to have a house left to celebrate the upcoming Holidays!

It’s getting that time of year for kids to nestle in their beds and think of Sugar Plums and numerous other Holiday pleasures.It’s also time for families to remember one of the most important items about the holidays that we seldom consider.Safety!

Use “live” greenery wisely.Be certain the garland draped on the mantle is secured adequately.Evergreens burn like tinder.Flames flare out of control sending sparks flying into the room and igniting creosote deposits in the chimney.

The same holds true for those beautiful candles that you place so strategically in the evergreen centerpiece.Do not leave lit candles unattended.

Create a family tradition and cut down a live tree at a tree farm.Fresh trees stay greener longer.Fresh needles will stay on branches longer and don’t break when bent.Trim away low branches that will impede the tree from being secured in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep water in the stand while the tree is indoors.Place the tree away from any heat source:think fire as well as drying out the tree.If you do purchase a tree from a store or organization, cut an additional two inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood to provide better water absorption.

For those of you using artificial trees, look for a statement stating the tree is fire resistant prior to purchasing it.And never, never use electric lights on metallic trees.

Pet and kid proof your trees.Thin guy-wires can secure trees to walls or ceilings and prevent curious little hands and paws from pulling or knockingtrees around.Avoid use of extension cords.A child or pet tangled in an extension cord could cause utter disaster in your home.

Christmas Cactus, Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly Berries or any other Christmas plant may cause illness in kids and pets if ingested.

My husband used to say, “Slow down.You move too fast.”I’ve learned.I took my lesson from the Christmas morning when I thought I could dry one more load of clothes before the extended family arrived and started a mischievous kitten on the ride of his life in the dryer.Fortunately, I knew the thumping wasn’t normal and immediately rescued a very dizzy, but otherwise o.k. feline.Common sense is the best plan.Use it!